9 May
2006 - Australia’s koala population will be a
major beneficiary of the Australian Government’s
funding boost of $2.5 million for the expansion
of the Australian Wildlife Hospital announced
in tonight’s Budget.
Australian Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
said the hospital would improve the chance of
survival for thousands of our native animals,
particularly in Australia’s fastest growing region
in south-east Queensland.
This region is one of the key
areas of concern for koalas.
The Australian Wildlife Hospital
and Rescue Unit collects sick, injured and orphaned
koalas and other wildlife and provides care and
rehabilitation before releasing them back into
the wild.
“Patient numbers are skyrocketing
with up to 90 koalas admitted each month for treatment
and 60 koalas in the facility’s specially designed
koala rehabilitation enclosures,” Senator Campbell
said.
“The hospital has separate holding
facilities for males and females and diseased
and non-diseased koalas. There is also an orphan
enclosure designed specifically to allow hand-raised
koalas to develop climbing skills and to minimise
contact with human carers before being released
back into the wild.
“While the facilities are excellent, demand for
the services continues to increase, with 3150
native animals treated in 2005, almost double
the number treated in 2004. With 1128 native animals
treated in the first three months of this year,
the hospital expects to assist more than 4500
native animals in 2006.”
Senator Campbell said the Australian
Government’s $2.5 million one-off funding boost
would be used to aid the hospital expansion, due
for completion in June 2007.
“The koala is an iconic Australian
species and most Australians would have a special
fondness for them,” Senator Campbell said.
“Visitors from around the world
consider koalas a key aspect of the Australian
cultural landscape and this funding injection
will help staff at the wildlife hospital conduct
ongoing research into wildlife disease and health
management. This important research may in the
future be used to further protect our unique and
iconic native species.”
The koala has been nominated
for listing as a threatened species under the
Australian Government’s Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Senator Campbell is considering
advice from the Threatened Species Scientific
Committee, which has assessed the nomination to
determine whether the koala is considered nationally
threatened. A decision will be announced in the
coming weeks.
